CMSAF visits RAF Mildenhall, shares insight with Airmen

Chief Master Sgt. of the Air Force Kaleth O. Wright carries a fuel hose from a MC-130J II Commando during a Forward Area Refueling Point exercise at RAF Mildenhall, England, Aug. 2, 2018. During the visit, Wright met with Airmen from multiple units to ask about their needs and see how they accomplish the mission. (U.S. Air Force photo by Senior Airman Luke Milano)

U.S. Air Force Staff Sgt. Katherine Tedrow, 100th Security Forces Squadron trainer, demonstrates how to clear a weapon during Chief Master Sgt. of the Air Force Kaleth O. Wright’s immersion tour of RAF Mildenhall, England, Aug. 2, 2018. During the visit, Wright took part in a 100th Security Forces Squadron shoot-house demonstration, participated in a Forward Area Refueling Point exercise, and spoke with RAF Mildenhall Airmen at an all-call. (U.S. Air Force photo by Senior Airman Luke Milano)

Chief Master Sgt. of the Air Force Kaleth O. Wright climbs into a fuel cell maintenance trainer during his visit to RAF Mildenhall, England, Aug. 2, 2018. Wright also took part in a 100th Security Forces Squadron shoot-house demonstration, participated in a Forward Area Refueling Point exercise, and spoke to RAF Mildenhall Airmen at an all-call during his visit to RAF Mildenhall. (U.S. Air Force photo by Senior Airman Luke Milano)

Chief Master Sgt. of the Air Force Kaleth O. Wright speaks with U.S. Air Force Senior Airman Michael Ricci, 100th Logistics Readiness Squadron Forward Area Refueling Point specialist, during a Forward Area Refueling Point exercise at RAF Mildenhall, England. Aug. 2, 2018. During the visit, Wright met with Airmen from multiple units to ask about their needs and see how they accomplish the mission. (U.S. Air Force photo by Senior Airman Luke Milano)

A Team Mildenhall Airman records Chief Master Sgt. of the Air Force Kaleth O. Wright, during an all call, at RAF Mildenhall, England, Aug. 2, 2018. Wright’s visit was part of an immersion tour designed to engage U.S. Air Force Airmen on resiliency, leadership and readiness. (U.S. Air Force photo by Senior Airman Christine Groening)

Chief Master Sgt. of the Air Force Kaleth O. Wright speaks to Team Mildenhall Airmen during an all call, at RAF Mildenhall, England, Aug. 2, 2018. Wright also visited multiple units on base to engage U.S. Air Force Airmen about resiliency, leadership and readiness. (U.S. Air Force photo by Senior Airman Christine Groening)

Tonya Wright, spouse of Chief Master Sgt. of the Air Force Kaleth O. Wright, visits with representatives from base family support agencies at the Airman & Family Readiness Center at RAF Mildenhall, England, Aug. 2, 2018. During her visit, Mrs. Wright met with multiple units to see how Team Mildenhall takes care of U.S. Air Force families with local support and service programs. (U.S. Air Force photo by Senior Airman Christine Groening)

Tonya Wright, spouse of Chief Master Sgt. of the Air Force Kaleth O. Wright, speaks with Team Mildenhall spouses during a breakfast at the Gateway Dining Facility at RAF Mildenhall, England, Aug. 2, 2018. Mrs. Wright met with Team Mildenhall spouses, where she answered questions and listened to their perspectives as military spouses. (U.S. Air Force photo by Senior Airman Christine Groening)

Chief Master Sgt. of the Air Force Kaleth O. Wright and his wife Tonya met with RAF Mildenhall Airmen during an immersion tour Aug. 2, 2018.

The 18th chief master sergeant of the Air Force observed and took part in a 100th Security Forces Squadron shoot-house demonstration and a Forward Area Refueling Point demonstration with the 352nd Special Operations Wing.

Wright also engaged RAF Mildenhall Airmen about resiliency, readiness and leadership at an all-call, and how the three themes are intertwined.

“Resiliency is being able to go through that challenge, whatever type of adversity it may be and still keep going, move through or bounce back,” Wright said. “I think it’s normal and natural for us all to face some sort of adversity in our lives. It is necessary for growth.”

Wright emphasized the importance resiliency has on the overall readiness of Airmen.

“Being resilient is a direct tie to readiness because no matter how hard you train – no matter how good you are at your job, no matter how ready you are to fight – if you don’t have it together from a physical, mental, spiritual and social standpoint, it’s going to be tough,” Wright said. “As we think about the future of our force and readiness, we have to also think about how we keep those same Airmen resilient.”

Wright expressed his confidence in the team after receiving hands-on experience during his visit to Mildenhall.

“I’ve been in this theater before and I’m very familiar with the mission and how hard the team works here,” Wright said. “I really like how Team Mildenhall, both the 352d SOW and the 100th ARW, work together. I feel very confident that the readiness here is very high considering the amount of priority missions and work that Mildenhall does for this command.”

Wright stressed the importance of leadership in the Air Force.

“I think we can fix a lot of things in our U.S. Air Force by creating a culture that allows every Airmen to thrive, and to feel like they are a part of something special,” Wright said.